Ford is torturing its 2019 ranger to make sure the all-new truck is up to durability standards and ready for adventure.
Ranger testing is based on the same standards of the Ford F-150.
"We torture every component - from its high-strength steel frame to its EcoBoost engine to its cloth and leather-trimmed seats - to ensure Ranger is ready for any season and nearly any terrain," said Rick Bolt, Ford Ranger chief engineer.
At Ford's Michigan Proving Grounds, a fully loaded Ranger hits the Silver Creek track with impacts so severe robotic drivers are used so humans don't get injured.
In the lab, a four-post shaker table abuses Ranger for days to check against squeaks and rattles. In the real world, the Ranger towing capability is tested in high temperatures on the unforgiving long steep grades of Davis Dam in Arizona, while the Australian Outback treats the truck to more heat and choking dust over harsh off-road terrain.
With features like a Terrain Management System, Trail Control and blind spot monitoring with trailer support, the Ford Ranger will make its return to the United States in early 2019.
